Take a selfie for biodiversity!

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), in cooperation with the Deustche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, mounts its annual photo contest for the third time, dubbed as “Selfie for Biodiversity and Livelihood 2016’’ in commemoration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on May 22.IDBD is an international event mandated by the United Nations as part of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1993, with the task of creating global awareness on the importance of biodiversity, how they impact the ecosystem, and why everyone should be involved in their protection.

With this years’ theme “Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and their Livelihoods,” the contest welcomes photo entries that tell a story on how efforts in protecting biodiversity help to sustain livelihood. Entries may highlight commitments, efforts or campaigns to protect biodiversity and may cover aspects such as food production, water protection, animal stock protection, or other topics related to the theme.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH remains committed in helping the Philippine government in educating the public of the need to be more proactive in protecting the environment and our rich biodiversity.

Photos may be taken using any medium, and must highlight any of the following: the beauty and uniqueness of the country’s biodiversity; activities that contribute to protecting biodiversity; and biodiversity and its connection to livelihood.

Entries must include 1) a short description with the subject of the photo (as a title); 2) participants’ name, age and the hashtag #selfieforbiodiversity; and 3) short narrative (about 100 words) on what biodiversity means to the person, how Filipinos can help conserve the Philippines’ rich biodiversity, how the action can inspire others, and a behind-the-scenes story on how the photo was taken.

Subjects must be on Philippine biodiversity and include unique plants and/or animals, whether on land, in fresh water, in the ocean, or special places (wildlife habitats, protected areas, caves, lakes, or rivers).

Participants may send as many entries as they can, but may only win once. Photos must be taken over the past year, or from the close of the Selfie for Biodiversity event in May 2015. Previous entries are disqualified.

No digital manipulation will be allowed; enhancements may only be limited to cropping, enhanced lenses, as well as color and digital retouching. Entries found to have been digitally-manipulated using Photoshop or other photo editing software will automatically be disqualified.

Submission of entries is from April 28, 2016 to noon of May 15, 2016 only. All entries should be sent via Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #selfieforbiodiversity.

A panel of judges composed of a veteran photographer and executives from DENR-BMB and GIZ will select the winner. Grand winner will win an all-expense paid trip for two (airfare and accommodation) to any protected area/biodiversity area under the jurisdiction of DENR-BMB or a project site of GIZ (except the islands of Batanes).

Winners will be notified via email, phone call or registered mail. Prizes can be claimed at the GIZ-BMUB office located at DENR-BMB, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, North Ave., Diliman, Quezon City within 60 days from receipt of notification.

Contest organizers hold the right to use submitted photos in its publications, presentations, video productions, and other similar materials necessary for the implementation of its programs and projects on biodiversity. Due credit, however, will be given to the author every time the photo is used.

Employees of GIZ and DENR-BMB, as well as their relatives up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity, are disqualified to join the competition.

For inquiries and other details, please visit the Selfie for Biodiversity’s official Facebook or Instagram page or contact 02-426 0239, 02-441 8440. You may also send an email to Selfie.Biodiversity@gmail.com.

A talkative albeit obnoxious ne'er-do'well. Beware! This PR writer will bore you to death with his outlandish gestures, topics, and insistence on the huge possibility of time travel. A huge fan of indietronica, biking, the Beatles, and David Bowie. Loves art and football, hates eggplants and carrots.